BARR, David
| Service Numbers: | 3474, 3474A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 60th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, February 1892 |
| Home Town: | Richmond (V), Yarra, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Hawthorn West, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 19 July 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3474, 22nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Jan 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3474, 22nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Jan 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3474, 22nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Melbourne | |
| 23 Feb 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 57th Infantry Battalion | |
| 16 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 60th Infantry Battalion | |
| 19 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3474A, 60th Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3474A awm_unit: 60th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-07-19 |
Help us honour David Barr's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
David Barr was serving with his brother Colin Campbell Barr, by 1916 they were both in the 60th Battalion. On 19 July 1916 the 60th Battalion participated in its first major operation on the Western Front - Fromelles. As the attack began the two boys turned to each other in the trench and shook hands before climbing out over the parapet. The waves of infantry from the 60th Battalion came under immediate heavy artillery, machine-gun, and rifle fire, and they suffered heavy casualties.
As David and Colin crossed no man's land together they were both hit. Colin later wrote, "The worst part of it all [was] I never fired a shot at them." As they lay near each other, David told Colin to ask their father to forgive him - what this forgiveness was for is now forgotten, and David died shortly afterwards.
David is remembered on the VC Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles. His brother Colin was mortally wounded the same day, but he survived for almost 6 weeks before he died of wounds in an English hospital on the 31 August 1916.
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK
Pte David Barr – Enlisted 16th August, 1915 as a 23 year old, Tanner. Service number 3474A. Embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Afric (A19) on 5th January, 1916 with 22nd Infantry Battalion, 8th Reinforcements. Killed in action at Fromelles, France 19th July, 1916. Buried V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles.
Private David Barr and his younger brother Private Colin Campbell Barr were remembered in a special Last Post Ceremony commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the battle of Fromelles, held at The Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia on 19th July, 2016.
Private Colin Barr was reported was wounded in action in France on 19th July, 1916 (Battle of Fromelles) & was invalided to England on Hospital Ship St Denis with gunshot wound/s to back.
Private Colin Campbell Barr died on 31st August, 1916 at Brook War Hospital, Woolwich, England from wounds received in action in France – Septic G.S.W. of lower Lumbar regions. He was buried in Greenwich Cemetery, London where 11 other Australian War Graves are.
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